London police arrest 500+ at Palestine Action protest; banned group targeted

Police in London arrested over 500 protesters on April 13, 2026, at a demonstration supporting Palestine Action, a group designated as a terrorist organization in the UK. Palestine Action has claimed responsibility for targeting weapons factories, particularly those of Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems, stating its goal is to end "global participation in Israel's genocidal and apartheid regime." The arrests represent a significant enforcement action against the banned organization, reflecting ongoing tensions over protest rights and national security designations in Britain. The incident underscores the collision between civil liberties and counterterrorism law in one of Europe's major democracies.